Grand Trophée - Les 3 Ballons: Morizot too fast for Snel

CHAMPAGNEY, France - The classic French cyclosportive Les 3 Ballons was won by a French pro last Saturday. After 205km through the Vosges (4300hm), Florian Morizot from Team Auber 93 was 1'47" faster on the steep La Planche-des-Belles-Filles then Vosges-based Dutchman Michael Snel from Team Veltec Granfondo. Total time was 6h24'02". The podium was completed by Andreas Rutishauser. Oege Hiddema came in fifth.

1109 riders completed the long course, which was apparently struck by a thunderstorm on the Grand Ballon.

T-Mobile Cycling Tour: Stuttgart & Fürth

Five ECB Cyclosports Team members were active this weekend in Fürth and Stuttgart, where two races were held simultaneously for the T-Mobile Cycling Tour. Fürth offered a flat course of 70km in the context of the Bayern Rundfahrt, Stuttgart a hilly 76km (1600hm) on the World Championship course.

Women's Tour leader Elin Amundsen's race in Bayern had a super annoying conclusion. About 400 metres before the finish line a number of guys crashed down in the sprint and forced Elin to jump onto the sidewalk behind the barriers and the spectactors. She also crossed the line on the sidewalk and thus did not cross the transponder mat. Instead of a rather comfortable victory, Elin does not feature in the result list.

There were more incidents in Fürth. Cyril Monnet also crashed out of contention. The number of crashes in these flat T-Mobile races is clearly becoming an issue. Newcomer Marcus Hagedorn stayed upright and finished with the first big group in 94th place. 329 riders made it into the list.

Stuttgart was much less hectic in that respect. The start was uphill and 4.6km later was already the first ascent of the Herdweg, 700m with a max of 13%. So the natural selection happened almost straightaway. Starting too far back, I never saw the first group of 11 riders get away but I was happy with my form and 25th rank at the finish. Morten Hansen concluded his race in 329th place out of 594 finishers in the A-race (4 laps). 1400 people turned up for the event, slightly more than expected. In any case, on this course it is hard to imagine Tom Boonen sprinting for the rainbow jersey at the end of September!

STUTTGART:
1. Daniel Preiss, 2:01:30 (netto 2:01:14)
2. Häfele Christian, 2:01:30 (netto: 2:01:24)
3. Michael Rademacher, 2:01:30 (netto: 2:01:19)
25. Kris Van de Velde, 2:07:26 (netto: 2:06:55)
41. Torsten Roell, 2:07:24 (netto: 2:07:15)
324. Morten Hansen, 2:27:18 (netto: 2:23:43)

FUERTH:
1. Thomas Wickles, 1:36:05
2. Michael Dehler, 1:36:08
3. Dieter Bosek, 1:36:08
94. Marcus Hagedorn, 1:36:37

Be 'in', do the Zoncolan!

Fans of big climbs must have felt their legs itching yesterday afternoon, seeing Gibo Simoni repeating his 2003 win on the Monte Zoncolan, arguably the steepest climb in Europe ever taken up in a Grand Tour. Figure this: 10km with an average gradient of 12%, several stretches above 15% and a maximum of 22%!

Well, this Sunday you can do it as well! The event is called Carnia Classic and includes the Zoncolan from Ovaro. The fastest rider on the climb itself will receive a special prize of 300 euro!

More info on Carnia Classic

T-Mobile Cycling Tour - Updated rankings: Elin leads

After four rounds, Elin Amundsen leads Annika Grüber in the women's ranking by 5 points (1331 vs 1326). In the duo's shadow is Isabell Sayle with 1219 points.

In the men's ranking, Michael Rademacher remains on top ahead of Alex Bauer (1331 vs 1223 points), with Ralph Philip Reuschl moving up to third place.

This weekend there will be two races for the Tour. One in Fürth, a 70km flat race in the context of the Bayern Rundfahrt, and one in Stuttgart on the World Championship course, 76km with 1500 hm.

T-Mobile Cycling Tour - Another second spot for Elin!

LEIPZIG - The weather could have been worse after all in Leipzig, with wet roads but no fresh rain. The fourth event of the T-Mobile Cycling Tour saw a group of some 85 riders racing to the line with Jürgen Werner from Zwickau taking the win ahead of Mario Dabelstein (Altenberg) and Strassacker's Nico Wernicke, the winner in Cologne earlier this year. The average speed over the 110km distance was 42.7 km/h...

Tour leader Michel Rademacher (Team UGS) had to settle for fifteenth, but Nino Ackermann only appears as 95th in the result, three minutes down.

In the women's race, Frankfurt-based Elin Amundsen scored her third second place of the season. Winner Beate Zanner was out of reach (she finished in the first group with an avs of 42.6 km/h!!!), but Elin managed to stay ahead of Franziska Reinfried and... Annika Grüber in the sprint for second place in a time of 2:40:29 (avs 41.1 km/h)! That means Elin and Annika have the same numer of points for the T-Mobile Tour, but Annika already has two wins behind her name. Next week Elin will be racing in Fürth, whereas Annika is expected to be more in her element on the hilly Stuttgart course.

Apart from Elin, a second member of the ECB Cyclosports squad made the long journey to Leipzi: Marcus Hagedorn, who had a strong debut in the Henninger Turm, finished half a minute down on the winner of the 70km race, good enough for 45th out of 756 finishers! His time was 1:47:53.

Gazzetta Challenge - Negrini, the Dolomiti Star

ARABBA - Since last year the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport organises its Gazzetta Challenge, a trio of events held in the 'shadow' of a professional race, similar to the T-Mobile Cycling Tour races here in Germany. In March there was Milan-Sanremo, in October there is the Giro di Lombardia and last weekend was the 'Giro d' Italia - Dolomiti Stars'. Start and finish was in Arabba and the 136km course included the Passo Duran, Staulenza, Passo di Giau and Falzarego. Indeed a considerable part overlapped the traditional Maratona course. No wonder then that Emmanuele Negrini showed he will again be the man to beat next month. Negrini won the race, finishing 17 seconds ahead of Moschiano and 20 ahead of Fontana. The event saw 1100 participants.

And Rumsas? Well, he and his teammate Timothy David Jones got beaten in the sprint by Englishman Jamie Burrow in the GF Michele Bartoli in Lucca di Montecarlo!

Gazzetta Challenge

Grand Trophée - Rubio beats Colevret on Ventoux

BEAUMES DE VENISE - The French Grand Trophée series has entered its core period with the cyclo La Ventoux last Saturday. Victory went to Stephane Rubio, who was slightly faster than favoruite Philippe Colevret and Bruno Mestre. Dutchmen Feike Loots and Oege Hiddema came in fourth and sixth. Some 750 riders made it to the finish of the long distance.

In 2 weeks Les 3 Ballons is on the agenda, followed by the Alpine events Morzine, Vaujany and of course la Marmotte.

T-Mobile Cycling Tour: Leipzig kicks off second chapter

The second chapter of the 2007 T-Mobile Cycling Tour commences in Leipzig on Whit Monday, 28 May. On the menu is a predominantly flat race of 110km which is bound to end up in a large group sprint, unless some people manage to get away in the final kilometres. Or a large-enough group attacks early and includes a number of favourites of the established teams...

In any case, the organisers of the Neuseen Classics have taken the bull by the horns and have been marketing the race enormously. More than 2000 riders are expected to start.

After Leipzig, the next races are Fürth, Stuttgart (both on 3 June) and Triberg (9 June). You can still register for all of them, check the websites for more info

Leipzig
Fürth
Stuttgart
Triberg

Men's top 10 after three races

1 Rademacher, Michael (Team UGS) 999
2 Bauer, Alexander (Radsport minibarista.de Hadamar)
3 Ackermann, Nino (team blue essentials) 933
4 Rademacher, Stefan (Team UGS ) 912
5 Reuschl, Ralph Philip (AGAPEDIA Münsterland) 905
6 Wendler, Olaf (Radsport minibarista.de Hadamar) 872
7 Stelzer, Tim (Team Radsport Vento) 854
8 Van de Velde, Kris ( bobteam.info) 830
9 Tiefel, Peter (independent) 819
10 Koopmann, Holger ( team blue essentials) 806

Women's top ten after three races

1 Grüber, Annika (AGAPEDIA Münsterland) 1001
2 Amundsen, Elin (bobteam.info) 981
3 Faust, Telse (independent) 913

4 Sayle, Isabell (Radsport minibarista.de Hadamar) 906
5 Reitmaier, Katharina (independent) 891
6 Cramer, Judith (Radsport minibarista.de Hadamar) 877
7 Ludwig, Sonja (Team UGS) 862
8 Kosswig, Ninetta ( Radon-Cyclepower) 840
9 Schicketanz, Uta ( Team Viner Racing) 808
10 Kegelberg, Britta (Team Von 0 auf 60 ) 796

Hendrik's Event Report:
20/05/07 - La Vauclusienne
Racing around the Ventoux

Belgium-based Hendrik Van Ekert, former amateur racer and cyclo rider, travelled to the Provence last week and participated in the cyclosportive La Vauclusienne. Here's his report:

I reached my main objective, i.e. finishing the race. But, sadly, the legs felt very bad. Probably due to a combination of two weeks without training (because of an injured knee), a ride on the Ventoux on Friday, another bumpy 90km on Saturday and a bunch of anti-inflammation products. I did have the impression, though, that the average level was quite high. Not so many participants (about 350) but nearly all of them finished with an average speed above 30 km/h.

After 10km we hit the first climb, which we took on the 53. I was only just unable to keep up with the first peloton (circa 50 riders) otherwise I would have risked blowing up. I fell back into a group of about 20 riders and together we rode up the Col des Abeilles (10km à 5-6%). Had to grit my teeth to follow.

Everything stayed together and we collected a few guys who had dropped off the first group. In a technical descent I escaped with six others. But after some ten kilometeres of working together the others still caught us back. Then the third genuine climb, about 3 km à 5%. Again a very solid pace and I felt my legs filling up with lactic acid. And in the final 25km they also exploded, I had to 'park' myself completely and could only make it to the finish riding my own tempo. My friend still overtook me and I could not even attach myself to his wheel anymore.

In the end 115th in the result list, half an hour behind the winner, but still with an average speed of 32.2 over 137km and some 1850 hm. Soit, I am not unsatisfied. My knee, which had been hurting so much the last two weeks, seems to have gotten better by the climbing. Either because of the anti-inflammation tablets or my slightly higher seating position on the bike.

Conclusion: "La Vauclusienne - Tristan Mouric" is a great cyclo in a wonderfull scenery riding around the legendary Mont Ventoux.

The race is perfectly organized, you get much value for your money (eg. nice cycling glasses, some commercial products, breakfast at the start, dinner with wine 'à volonté' at the finish, ...) and you even have the opportunity to cycle against Alain Prost, the famous F1 rider who participates in this cyclo every year (this year he ended up 58th).

Website of this cyclosportive: http://www.cyclosport-lavauclusienne.fr

HAC4+ Data:

Vlaamse versie:

Hoofddoel bereikt, koers kunnen uitrijden.

Maar de benen waren spijtig genoeg heel slecht. Waarschijnlijk combinatie van 2 weken niet meer te trainen, en dan vrijdags de ventoux op en zaterdag nog 90km over een paar hellingen en daarbovenop nog wat ontstekingsremmers.

Had wel de indruk dat het algemeen niveau redelijk hoog lag.

Niet zo veel vertrekkers maar bijna allemaal boven de 30km/u gemiddeld.

Na 10km de eerste klim, werd op het buitenblad opgevlamd. Ik kon net niet aansluiten met het eerste peloton (ong. 50 man) of ik zou moeten forceren.

Kwam daarna in een groepje van een man of 20 te zitten en reden samen de Col des Abeilles op (10tal km klimmen tegen 5-6%). Was wel wat doorbijten om te volgen.

Daarna bleef alles samen, raapten nog wat gelosten op. En in een technische afdaling reden we met 7 man weg.

Na een tiental km ronddraaien kwam de rest toch terug.

Daarna de 3de echt klim, 3-tal km aan 5%, werd weer stevig tempo gereden en voelde ik de benen al vol zuur lopen.

En in de laatste 25km zijn ze ontploft, stond volledig geparkeerd en heb eigen tempo naar de aankomst moeten rijden.

Mijn kameraad is me nog voorbijgereden en heb niet meer kunnen aanklampen.

114des geworden op een half uur van de winnaar, toch nog 32,2 gemiddeld met zo'n 1850HM over 137km (ik stuur later wel nog een grafiekje op).

Soit, toch redelijk tevreden van mijn weekend.

De knie lijkt wonder boven wonder verbeterd door het klimwerk. Ofwel ligt het aan de pillen of aan mijn iets hogere positie op de fiets.

Uitslag op http://www.kms.fr/Eprv/Rsl/07/Rsl-07-Eprv-Stat.Asp?CodEprv=Vauclusienne3G%2D07&NomEprv=La+Vaucluienne+136Km

Website op http://www.cyclosport-lavauclusienne.fr/index.html

La Charly Gaul dan toch maar voor de korte afstand kiezen zeker?

Prestigio: Le Nove Colli - Rumsas, who else ...

CESENATICO - For the third consecutive year in a row, Raimondas Rumsas grabbed the win in the 205km long Nove Colli event in Cesenatico. And once again, his teammate Timothy David Jones finished second right behind him. Negrini came in fifth, which promises a lot for the several mountainous June events! Right behind him were Ciavatti and Giraldi. The women's race was decided in the sprint with Galucci beating Bandini.

Three ECB Cyclosports riders also took part in the event. Lorenzo Borghini did the 205 km event in 9 hours, while Julia Bennett and Michael Schneider arrived in 6:52 and 6:58 respectively on the 130km. For the latter it was a personal best, while Lorenzo and Julia debuted on their distances. All three of them lost a lot of time on the Bertinoro, the first climb, due to the death of a participant (heart failure).

Men - 205km

1 Rumsas, Raimondas (Team Guru Parkpre Selle Italia) 5h 47m 17s

2 Jones, Timothy David (Team Guru Parkpre Selle Italia) 5h 47m 17s

3 Kvachuk, Oleksandr (Team Cinelli Endeka) 5h 50m 47s

4 Fantini, Ersilio (Team MG.K VIS-LGL-LOOK) 5h 50m 47s

5 Negrini, Emanuele (Team Salieri) 05h 50m 49s

6 Ciavatti, Andrea (Team MG.K VIS-LGL-LOOK) 5h 50m 49s

7 Giraldi, Stefano (Team Pianeta Bici) 5h 50m 54s

8 Falzarano, Alfonso (Team Cinelli Endeka OPD) 5h 50m 54s

9 Chaburka, Anatoli (46ª Brigata Aerea-Filippo Sport) 5h 50m 57s

10 Purismi, Doriano (Viner Team) 5h 50m 57s

CHIBA Alpencup - Amade Radmarathon marred by fatal crash

SALZBURG - The Amade Radmarathon in Salzburg, Austria, was overshadowed by the deadly fall of a 48-year-old German participant. The accident happened on Sunday morning apparently without the involvement of other riders. The man crashed into a guide bar and died moments later of his head injuries. The emergency ambulance arrived at the tragic spot within five minutes but resuscitation attempts failed.

Around what must have been the same time, a 74-year-old participant in the Italian granfondo Le Nove Colli suffered a fatal heart failure on the Bertinoro, the first climb.

A black weekend in the cyclo circuit.

The two 176km long distances of the Amade race were decided in the sprint. Simon Schmidmayr narrowly defeated Slovenian Gaspar Svab, while Italian veteran Anna Corona, 46, was the better woman ahead of Andrea Hofbauer.

KVDV's Event Report:
05/05/07 - Bike Away in Lommel (BE)

Training with the pros

LOMMEL - After the hectic race in Frankfurt it was time for a gentle cyclotour in Belgium's Brabant and Limburg provinces. A young event, called Bike Away, which featured tours of several distances (the longest being 275 km!) and the option to ride either on Saturday or Sunday. I chose the Saturday and the 160 km distance. Basically all flat but good as recovery and to build up some endurance. My granfondo season is now coming closer, after all.

The event was quite well-hyped in the Flemish cyclo circuit, but having the much more established Shimano Fiets Challenge taking place only 50km away on the same weekend resulted in a rather moderate number of participants. A pity, because the event is well organised and has a pleasant course. They even managed to get some professionals to turn up and do the tour as training. Johan Van Summeren (Predictor-Lotto) and Kevin Hulsmans (Quickstep) joined the first group of riders who started at 8 a.m. Two hours later six more pros, including Roy Sentjens (Predictor Lotto, winner of the Flèche Brabançonne 2004), Gert Steegmans (Quickstep - Tom Boonen's lead-out man and multiple stage winner himself), Wim De Vocht (Predictor Lotto) and Sebastien Rosseler (Quickstep).

I joined four guys who rode a very solid pace from the start. They were doing the 120km and the fact that each participant's time was being registered ( as in the Amstel) clearly made them not wasting any time. We even did not stop at the first checkpoint. Eventually we caught up with eight other riders so we formed a little gruppetto. After a little climb in a forest, they turned left and I went straight for my 160km ambition. I joined four other guys. After we had chatted about La Marmotte, I took off on the longest climb of the day. That hill was followed by - surprise - a cobblestone stretch. As I hit it six riders suddenly rode past me: I immediately recognised Steegmans with five others in his wheel. I put a bigger gear on and attached my waggon. Steegmans, De Vocht, Rosseler, Sentjens and a guy from Cofidis and Landbouwkrediet-Colnago. Great!

For 60km I stayed in their wheels without too much trouble, the accelerations after every corner was the toughest bit. In fact, on two short climbs the Landbouwkrediet-rider got dropped. Too bad his director sportif wasn't following us :-) The six were joking about with De Vocht, Steegmans and Sentjens as protagonists in this department. Funny in some way was the last checkpoint. You don't always see established pros like Steegmans filling his own bidon and grabbing a waffle at some table on the edge of a meadow.

FACT SHEET:

Name: Bike Away
Date: 6 May 2007
Venue: Lommel, Belgium
Type: Cyclotour
Distance: 160km (flat)
Info: website
Even rating: 4/5
Pictures: Picasa album

Gerolstein - Some results

GEROLSTEIN - The second TOUR-Festival in Gerolstein was held in mainly wet and chilly conditions. The attendance was nevertheless respectable and can only hope that the organisers are luckier with the weather next year. Below are a few results (the online results are all age-class based, unfortunately). The radmarathon of 155km saw quite a few Benelux riders in the top 20.

Jeantex time trial - 30.1 km (630 hm)
Men:
1. Günter Hollige 52:44 (34,244 km/h)
2. Michael Göhner 52:48 (34,198 km/h)
3. Frank Lingnau 54:53 (32,906 km/h)
12. Alex Nikolopoulos 56:56 (31,715 km/h) (Frankfurt)
82. Gerhard Reutzel 1:03:35 (28, 403 km/h) (Frankfurt-Hofheim)
127. Manuel Schulz 1:06:08 (27,303 km/h) (Frankfurt)
225. Denis Hergert 1:20:04 (22, 551 km/h) (Frankfurt)

Women:
1. Annika Grüber 1:00:28 (29, 867 km/h)
2. Mechthild Gerhardt 1:03:54 (28, 258 km/h)
3. Inge Roersch 1:04:57 (27, 801 km/h)
18. Anna Wächtershäuser 1:16:13 (23, 690 km/h)

Marathon 101 km - (439 participants)
1. Marc Leischner 2:59:17 (33, 866 km/h)
2. Oliver Becker 2:59:43 (33, 785 km/h)
3. Joachim Krüger 3:01:14 (33, 500 km/h)
6. Cyril Monnet 3:08:57 (32, 134 km/h) (Frankfurt)
11. Alex Nikolopoulos 3:11:19 (31, 736 km/h) (Frankfurt)
52. Morten Hansen 3:25:48 (29, 502 km/h) (Frankfurt)

Marathon 155km
1. Günter Hollige 4:37:34 (33, 622 km/h)
2. Daniel Preiss 4:42:15 (33, 064 km/h)
3. Christian Fett 4:46:07 (32, 618 km/h)

Prestigio - GF Gimondi - Another victory for Rumsas

BERGAMO - Raimondas Rumsas remains the man to beat in the Italian granfondo circuit. The former Lithuanian pro also took victory in the GF Felice Gimondi in Bergamo last Sunday, edging Matteo Podesta and teammate David Timothy Jones by 12 seconds after 165km. The leading trio had a four minute advantage over a quintet, led by Andrea Ciavatti.

In the women's event Monica Bandini scored a win over Monia Gallucci.

There were over 5000 participants in Bergamo. Next weekend the Prestigio series continues with the Nove Colli in Cesenatico, the most popular event with 11000 riders.

TOUR Festival in Gerolstein: Cyril & Morten go for it

Two members of the ECB Cyclosports Team are heading to Gerolstein to participate in the TOUR-Festival this weekend. In particular, Morten will do the 'marathon' over 155 km and Cyril the 100km version.

The whole weekend - starting today with an individual time trial - will see a large number of cyclists in and around Gerolstein. Via the link on the left-hand side you can obtain all the info you need. It is still possible to register on the spot as well. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not brilliant.

Morten is continuing his preparation for the Tour of Wessex in Wales at the end of the month, while Cyril will be hoping for a good result after a crash in the penultimate corner of the Henninger Turm race deprived him from a top 50 ranking.

The Gerolstein events are not included in the T-Mobile Cycling Tour.

T-Mobile Cycling Tour Update: Elin reigns after Göttingen

The T-Mobile Cycling Tour ranking has been updated with the results of Göttingen, the second race in the series that took place on 29 April. As expected, Elin Amundsen is on top of the female standings with an advantage of 15 points over Annika Grüber. However, when the points of the Frankfurt race are added, they will normally swap.

I'm finding myself in 8th place at the moment... soon I need to re-adjust my programme:-)!

T-Mobile rankings

KVDV's Race Report

01/05/07 - Frankfurt/Main - Rund um den Henninger Turm

Crash festival

Only two days after the tough event in Göttingen, the next race for the T-Mobile Cycling Tour was already on the agenda. Not just another race even, the Henninger Turm in our home base Frankfurt! As I had gone quite deep in Niedersachsen (see my race report), I was not overconfident for the 102km rush through the Taunus with some of its steepest climbs. On Monday I spent half an hour on the ergobike in the morning and another 1h15 on the race machine in the evening. That was probably not a bad idea as my legs felt loose on race day.

I've done every single Henninger cyclo race since 2002. The inaugural event was wet and I crashed on my knee with many others on a large oil spot in a descent off a Bundestrasse. The year after I surprised myself by finishing 55th. Then we had the apocalyptic edition of 2004: pouring rain all day. Intermediate times on Rupersthainberg put me around 35th spot when I slipped in the sharp corner to enter the long descent to Kelkheim. My rear wheel was badly damaged and the tyre flat. My love-hate relationship with this race continued in 2005. Forced to start in Block C I blew myself up entirely trying to get to the front before the climbing zone. I finished 175th or something like that. But last season I returned with a vengeance to conclude the race in 14th place!

Coming from Köln and Göttingen with satisfying results, I knew I had the legs to stick with the first group again. Still, the Taunus is unforgiving and the difference between 100% and 80% can make a hell lot of difference. As it turned out, I didn't have any major problems hanging in there with the fastest. The famous 20% stretch in Eppstein went 'fine'. However, as in Göttingen, I have to admit that's all I could do. Attacking or counter attacking did not come to my mind. A nasty crash of three, four riders in Glashütten forced me to put my foot on the ground and gave me some concern. The pace was quite high and standing still on a piece of false flat was not really ideal. It took until just at the foot of the steep Rupertshainsberg to get back to the leading group. In the nick of time! The climb was rock-hard, no point denying that. But I guess it was that way for everyone.

After Rupertshain it was fast downhill to Frankfurt City, with two bumps in Kelkheim to break the speed. Then the fun was over.

Masses of slower riders on the 'flat' 75km distance merged with our group of some 40-50 riders in Kelkheim. Surely it was unfortunate timing but this was wild. It was nearly impossible to distinguish who was with us and who wasn't! Upon entering the cobbled climb out there, it was simply a matter of too many riders on too narrow a road. In a reflex I personally jumped on the terrible footpath next to the cobbled street. I saw two fast guys crashing as they couldn't pass slower riders. On top, I accelerated but I had no clue where the leaders were. Somebody else hammered down in the descent and I followed. Brief, total confusion.

Luckily, we didn't have the feared inline skaters there at that moment...

Gradually our group got back together after a number of kilometres but now obviously also included 75km riders who were giving it a shot to follow our pace on the remaining flattish 40km. I sat comfortably in there with Cyril, who had joined us in the descent of Rupertshain. My main concern remained avoiding crashes. Because yes, every now and then you heard them around you. Entering the city there was a big one again in front of me. I hope all these people are okay because their crashes looked pretty bad! Needless to say it spoilt the fun.

Anyhow, as we passed the ECB's Eurotower and rode along the Main to Konstablerwache I took the lead on the bridge. I expected an attack on the sloping Darmstädter Landstrasse - where the pro race starts and finishes- and I thought I better be up front when that happens. There was no real attack, though, just an increase of pace. Then again down to the Main and via a cycling lane (!) filled with slower riders we headed back to Höchst. Taking the bridge towards the Main-Taunus Zentrum I took Cyril's wheel in about 15th place when suddenly two slow inline skaters appeared ahead of us! The poor woman was obviously shocked when riders going for victory were storming passed her left and right, some - like the guy pushing me to the left - narrowly avoiding a heavy collision. These escapades made me lose momentum and Cyril's wheel, but I just got it back in the penultimate 90 degree corner when... the guy ahead of Cyril missed his corner completely, went down and took Cyril with him! I slipped but did not tumble over them. My sprint was destroyed and after such a thriller I could not really be bothered to get myself up to speed again for the last 200 metres. Cyril, who was doing his best ever T-Mobile race, crossed the line afterwards, shaken, disappointed but unhurt.

Then we got an email from Gary Weir who returned from the Giro della Sardegna saying he did not witness a single crash all week.

These are my personal experiences of this year's race of course, but many other participants also complained and reported a large number of crashes. As mentioned above, the situation in Kelkheim may just be due to bad timing - but still. The organisers should try to find a solution to avoid these bottlenecks. The stretch from the City back to Höchst which partially went via a cycling path along the river is hard to imagine for someone who didn't experience it. The final kilometre around the MTZ is asking for trouble. And having skaters on the same roads is just not helping matters. It's such a shame as the course through the Taunus remains a highlight of the season.

The Henninger results to this day are still purely netto time based. This puts me in 46th spot, 18 seconds behind winner Stefan Rademacher (Team UGS), Cyril in 68th. The entire ECB team did a splendid job, the results can be found elsewhere on the blog. Only sad that Elin did not get what she deserved: third place on the podium. That was awarded to Reni Brunner due to the netto-time rule. Hopefully she will get the points for third place in the T-Mobile Cycling Tour ranking.

FACT SHEET:

Name: Henninger Turm
Date: 1 May 2007
Venue: Frankfurt/Main
Type: Race (T-Mobile Cycling Tour)
Distance: 102km (900hm)
My Result: 46/1440 (finishers), 2:34:40, avs 39.568
Info: website
Event rating: 1/5

Leon Van Bon beaten in Shimano Fiets Challenge

The self-proclaimed greatest cyclo of the Benelux, the Shimano Fiets Challenge in Vaals (NL), had a surprising outcome as experienced ProTour rider Leon Van Bon (Rabobank) got defeated in the sprint by Vosges-based Dutchman Michel Snel. The 150km was covered in 4:01:37 by a leading trio with Matthieu Heyboer completing the podium.

Snel is not an unknown in the cyclo circuit. He finished third in La Vosgienne last year, and was also the fastest in the time trial on the Ballon 'd Alsace last September. He's a member of the new Dutch Veltec Team Granfondo.

The women's event was dominated by Irene Van den Broek who had an advantage of over 11 minutes to finish in 4:24:27.

Unfortunately, the signalisation of the event was below standards and several riders exited the course involuntarily at some point.

Avoid the rain, go to Belgium!

Whereas the weather forecast for Hessen is not exactly brilliant for tomorrow, Belgium should still enjoy lots of sunshine this weekend. Last-minute deciders could check this cyclosportive/cyclotour out that takes place in Lommel: Bike Away

It is only the second edition of this much-hyped event and covers the entire weekend. That is: on Saturday you can choose to do the various available courses cyclosportive-style, with time registration and a ranking at the end. On Sunday it is purely cyclotour-style.

Two bunch starts are foreseen on Saturday: one at 8 a.m. for the 275km and 200km, and a second one at 10 a.m. for the 160km, 120km and shorter distances.

And last but not least: a number of Belgian professionals will line-up at the starting line as well! Gert Steegmans, the lead-out man for Tom Boonen at Quickstep, will join the 275km bunch start together with another Quickstepper Sebastien Rosseler.
At 10 a.m. Predictor-Lotto aces Johan Vansummeren, Roy Sentjens and Wim De Vocht will join the second bunch start.

Rumour has it on a Flemish forum that even Tom Boonen will turn up - with his bike ..

Motorcyclists will follow the event with cameras and video footage will be shown at the start/finish in Lommel after the event.

MTB - Lorenzo & Julia kick off season in style

SUNDERN HAGEN - Last Saturday Lorenzo and Julia Borghini started their MTB season with the first event in the Bike Sport News Marathon Trophy Series in Sundern Hagen. Despite the hot temperatures, Lorenzo had great legs and opted for the long distance race over 102 km (2500 hm) and did it in a great time of 5:04:33 to finish 113th. Julia went for the medio of 57km and came in 25th in 3:07:11. Everything certainly seems top with their current conditional level, as Lorenzo and Julia went on to deliver great results in last Tuesday's Henninger Turm road race as well! Lorenzo was 30th on the 63km and suprised everybody with his intermediate time on Rupertshainberg, while Julia was 21st and 2nd (!) in her age category on the 74km.





More information on the Bike Sport News Marathon Trophy
And here's the link to the Sundern Hagen event

KVDV's RACE REPORT:

29/04/07 - Göttingen, Niedersachsen
Tough but pleasant racing




Göttingen remains one of my favourite German races. Registration and overall organisation is hassle-free, the results are like you expect them to be, and the 80 km long course is bloody tough to race on! For my third participation I just had a simple target: reach the finish with the fastest group, something I failed to do last season (second group, rank 36). For half of the race it did not look good for me, but eventually I did manage to cross the line just inside the top 20! The netto-time rule as of rank 16 relegated me to rank 21, but alas.

While warming up, my front braking cable lost all its tension. That was quite shocking. I had cable issues after the Cologne race ... but at the rear, not at the front! By the time I had everything fixed and reliable again, starting block A was already quite filled up and I was forced to take up a position towards the back. No big deal, the first 3km are neutralised anyway. Yeah right: the pace up front was immediately so high gaps emerged everywhere. The chase was on straightaway! I could not even see the front riders and the pace was blistering. I took the wheels of three guys wearing Tui-jerseys. I remembered them from the Münster event last season and they seemed keen to make it to the front as quickly as possible, too. However, it really was easier said than done. It was not exactly pancake flat and there were a few passages through small villages. It took 7-8 kilometres before I passed ECB Cyclosports teammate Morten and a bit further I finally caught up with Elin.

The rush to the front cost me a lot of strength and on the long sloping road that followed I could not keep up with the first group of about 30 riders that was now clearly detaching itself from the rest of the peloton. I resisted for a while with a few others, but to no avail. The wind did not help neither and I was gasping for air. A second group of about ten riders closed up and included Elin. The Agapedia train for Elin's main competitor Annika Grüber also joined us.

The next ten to fifteen kilometres I just tried to get my act together. Meanwhile, I noticed Elin was stronger than Annika. I told her to save her energy for the last climb, Hoher Hagen at 12km before the finish. However, the two or three teammates of Annika did a superb job 'protecting' her and in fact it was last year's winner of the women's T-Mobile Tour who took off at Hoher Hagen and not Elin.

The pace in our group was high enough to catch up with the leading group just before the long climb of Bramwald. That was just in time. I immediately sneaked my way up the front of the group, where I had no problems with the climbing pace. In fact, I started feeling better and better. The group split up again and I was comfortable sitting in there. The rollercoaster ride towards Hoher Hagen did not bother me at all, but at Hoher Hagen itself I had to accept that following was all I could, and I had to dig very deep to do so. When we turned left into the descent I was knackered and luckily I caught the wheel of another Agapedia-rider. Yet the subsequent bumps killed me and I once again dropped off the group of about 20-25 riders. The truth is this was racing at its finest. I battled my way up the stretch of false flat and joined two guys who had suffered the same fate. Together we reconnected with the group a bit later. Then it was basically straight down the line.

Unlike in Köln, the rush to the finish was not obstructed by sharp corners or narrow streets and I decided to give it a shot. I positioned myself up front and started the sprint in the wheel of Stefan Rademacher, who would finish fifth, but someone forced me to pull to the right where I got a bit squeezed. I estimated I crossed the line around 15th place. I did not know three guys were actually ahead of us since Hoher Hagen, with Michael Rademacher of Team UGS beating Oliver Beerman and Nino Ackermann for the win.

It was tough going this race, but I'm genuinely satisfied. Göttingen gives us jedermänner a perfect opportunity to race in a pleasant atmosphere and without many concerns about safety. I can only recommend this event once again to everyone.

FACT SHEET:

Name: Tour d' Energie
Date: 29 April 2007
Venue: Göttingen
Type: Race (T-Mobile Cycling Tour)
Distance: 80km
Hm: 1060hm
My Result: Rank 21/1327 (f), 2:07:01 (netto, rank 10)
Info: website
Event rating: 5/5



PRESS: Göttinger Tagesblatt 30.04.07
http://www.goesf.de/fileadmin/Ergebnisliste/GT30-04-07_III.pdf

VIDEO COVERAGE - Finish 80km (a few slower riders of the 50km are in between)

Prestigio: Dieci Colli Bolognesi: Jones ahead of Rumsas

BOLOGNA - Second event in the Italian Prestigio series: the Dieci Colli Bolognesi. As in the GF Selle Italia, Parkpre teammates Timothy Jones and Raimondas Rumsas took top honours after 163km. Attacking on the last climb, they opened up a gap of 40 seconds over Kyrilo Pospeyev and1'17"over local hero Emmanuele Negrini. The order was different now though: Jones crossed the line ahead of Rumsas.

In the women's event, Monica Bandini had a lead of nearly 10 minutes over Barbara Lancioni.

Next Prestigio event is the GF Felice Gimondi in Bergamo on 13 May.

Henninger Turm: Elin third across the line!

FRANKFURT - Elin Amundsen was quite annoyed when the results were displayed yesterday afternoon. She had just "trashed" Reni Brunner, also from Frankfurt, in the sprint for third place, but found herself behind Brunner - and thus off the podium - in the result list.

The reason is simple: the very controversial netto-time based result policy which the Henninger organisation apparently defends. Brunner must have crossed the starting line 10 to 15 seconds after Elin and thus had a "time advantage" that Elin's sprint victory could not erase. "Why did I then sprint?," said Elin rightfully.

Curious to see what will appear on the website of the T-Mobile Cycling Tour. If they apply the rules as published on their website, Elin should be awarded the points of third place. With Annika Grüber winning the race in Frankfurt just like in Gottingen, every single point is important ...

My personal race report will follow in due course.

TOP 3:

Men:

1. Rademacher Michael (Team UGS)2:34.21,9
2. Dehler Michael (Team Blue Essentials)2:34.22,2
3. Bauer Alexander (Radsport minibarrista)2:34.22,6

Women:

1. Grüber Annika (Team Agapedia Münsterland 3)2:39.45,1
2. Höllige Martina (Team Strassacker)2:41.57,4
3. Brunner Reni (Bad Vilbel) 2:44.20,9 

VeloTour: Fine results for entire ECB Cyclosports Team

FRANKFURT - More than 3500 riders took part in this year's VeloTour- Henninger Turm, a new record. Here are the results of a succesful ECB squad in brief

(note: Elin Amundsen de facto finished third and should be awarded third-place according to the T-Mobile Cycling Tour rules, but on netto time she has been relegated to fourth so far by the Henninger organisers).

102km (Taunus long), 63 km (Taunus short), 74km (flat long), 35km (flat short)

Women:
Amundsen, Elin
102km - rank 4/74, 2:44:24 (+ 4'39"), avs 37.223
Bennett, Julia
74km - rank 21/133, 2:05:31 (+ 16'58"), avs 35.370

Men:
Borghini, Lorenzo
63km - rank 30/314, 1:51:47 (+8'36"), avs 33.974
Hagedorn, Marcus
74km - rank 116/1002, 1:52:42 (+5'36), avs 39.396
Hansen, Morten
102km - rank 440/1458, 2:50:53 (+16'31"), avs 35.812
Monnet, Cyril
102km - rank 68/1458, 2:35:04 (+0'42"), avs 39.464
Richardson, Alan
74km - rank 928/1002, 2:33:51 (+46'45"), avs 28.858
Van de Velde, Kris
102km - rank 46/1458, 2:34:40 (+0'18"), avs 39.568
Van Domburg, Guus
63km - rank 106/314, 2:05:18 (+22'07"), avs 30.308

Ten ECB Riders at the start tomorrow!

Frankfurt - The ECB Cyclosports Team is expected to line up ten riders for tomorrow's Henninger Turm event, the home race so to speak. Here are the names:

AMUNDSEN, Elin
BENNETT, Julia
BORGHINI, Lorenzo
HAGEDORN, Marcus
HANSEN, Morten
KRUSEC, Dejan
MONNET, Cyril
RICHARDSON, Alan
VAN DE VELDE, Kris
VAN DOMBURG, Guus

Göttingen: official results

Göttingen - The results have now been modified according to the rules of the T-Mobile Cycling Tour, which say that the first 15 across the line occupy the first 15 spots regardless of each rider's netto time. As of rank 16, the classification is based on netto time.

These rules, incidently, were changed last week on Friday. In Cologne the first 250 across the line were also the first 250 in the result list.

We have already discussed the system earlier this month. At least the result is not purely based on netto-time...

Men's 80 km (1060 Hm) - 1326 finishers
1. Michael Rademacher (team UGS) - netto 2:05:46 (5)
2. Oliver Beerman (Faktor magazin) - netto 2:04:07 (1)
3. Nino Ackermann (Blue Essentials) - netto 2:06:09 (6)
21. Kris Van de Velde (bobteam) - netto 2:07:01 (10)
83. Cyril Monnet (ECB Cyclosports) - netto 2:11:02 (83)

Women's 80km (1060Hm) - 71 finishers
1. Annika Grüber (Team Agapedia Münsterland 3) - netto 2:09:19 (1)
2. Elin Amundsen (bobteam) - netto 2:11:41 (2)
3. Katja Hernold (TV Kettwig) - netto 2:19:13 (3)

Göttingen Newsflash: Another second spot for Elin!

Elin Amundsen yesterday scored another superb second spot in the Tour d' Energie 80km race in Göttingen. She initially appeared stronger than eventual race winner Annika Grüber, but when the latter made her move at Hoher Hagen, a rather steep and irregular 2km climb 12km from the finish, Elin had to let go. Annika was the overall T-Mobile Tour winner last season and can always count on two, three male Agapedia teammates by her side, so Elin has no reason to be disappointed. In fact, normally she is now leading the T-Mobile Tour as Grüber was only fourth in Cologne three weeks ago...

In the men's race, I crossed the line between an estimated15 and 20th place. The netto-time based result put me just inside the top 10. Cyril Monnet equalled last season's result with 84th, and Morten Hansen sadly suffered a big crash which put him out of contention. Luckily, he did not break anything but he did bruise a few ribs.

There were 1800 participants. More info in my full race report later this week.

T-Mobile Cycling Tour: Stage2: Göttingen

Four core riders of the ECB Cyclosports Team are travelling to Niedersachsen on Sunday for the third edition of the Tour d' Energie jedermann race, leg 2 of the 2007 T-Mobile Cycling Tour. The early summer weather will continue so we could expect another big group making it to the finish line - like three weeks ago in Cologne.

I myself have really enjoyed racing in Göttingen the past two years. It's very well organised and somehow the atmoshere is still an extra friendlier and stimulating then for other T-Mobile races. Apart from that, the so-called pacco gara is also excellent, especially the CDR filled with photos of the race that every participant receives after the event.

The ECB quartet consists of myself, Cyril Monnet, Morten Hansen and Elin Amundsen. My goal is simple: don't do worse than 41st (2005) or 36th (2006) :-)

For Elin, second in Cologne, it is the first start in Göttingen. She will square off against her main rivals Annette Kolf, Jennifer Schloden and Annika Grüber again for the win.

Cyril is the man to watch. The talented Frenchman has (finally) managed to train consistently for months and is in the shape of his life. Last year he was 84th, now he should be able to get closer to the front. The same for Morten. He put himself under a strict regime over the winter and enters the season with confidence and without superfluous weight. He finished in 308th spot last season, a top 200 rank is not impossible.

Nove Colli closes registration early

The organisers of the biggest Italian granfondo, Le Nove Colli, on 20 May in Cesenatico have prematurely closed the registration facility. The response this year has been immediately tremendously high, and it has been decided that 11.000 participants is the absolute maximum for logistical and security reasons.

A few riders from Frankfurt will be making the trip down there, including ECB riders Lorenzo Borghini and Guus Van Domburg.

Check the very nice Nove Colli website for all info on this superb event.

Giro della Sardegna - Negrini already on top!

The Giro della Sardegna, a week long stage race on the Italian island, is gaining popularity year by year. A large 'international' contingency takes part every year as well, but the Italians still clearly dominate the proceedings. In fact, mountain hero Emmanuele Negrini took top honours in stage 1, the traditional granfondo over 152 km. He outsprinted teammate and break-away companion Maurizio Frigo to take the win. Yesterday, Monday, another Salieri-rider won the so-called first stage: Marco Bettini stayed ahead of the peloton in the 113km long race.

Details of Höchst Loop

Upon request we have quickly set up the directions to get to the Höchst Loop from the Eurotower, using Google Maps.

Over 1700 registrations for Göttingen

The Tour d' Energie, the jedermann event in the context of the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt, already has a record number of registrations. One week before the event on Sunday, 29 April, 1752 people have signed up for the 80 or 50 km distances.

The event in Göttingen was a prime example of good organisation - with a lot of extras - the past two years. Reports that the pro race was lacking funding threatened the future of the race recently, but now everything is set for a great day on the bike again!

For last-minute registrations, go to the website.

ECB Cyclosports Team in Henninger Turm

The past number of years the cycling group of the European Central Bank has always had a good number of riders participating in the Henninger Turm on 1 May. Despite a few regulars leaving Frankfurt over the winter, nine people have already signed up again for the event: Elin Amundsen, Julia Bennett, Lorenzo Borghini, Guus van Domburg, Morten Hansen, Cyril Monnet, Kris Van de Velde and newcomers Alan Richardson and Marcus Hagedorn. Unfortunately, another motivated newcomer Roswitha Hutter had to cancel due to persisting back pain.

Granfondo in detail

Thanks to Lorenzo we now have a new link on the right hand side, which goes to a website where you can find much more than just the annual calendar of Italian granfondo events. Results, pictures, weather forecasts, links to the relevant websites, everything you need in other words!

Check the website

RuK - Organisers respond to timing issues

The organisers of the FOCUS Challenge race (Rund um Köln) have kindly issued a response to the many complaints on the timing of each rider's race and the corresponding result lists.

The timings have largely been confirmed by the provider MIKA timing and the result lists are entirely correct according to the new T-Mobile Cycling Tour rules, which say that the first 250 across the finish line are also the first 250 in the result list, independent of each rider's netto time. Beyond 250, the riders are ranked according to their netto time.

This of course to prevent riders starting in blocks C or D to race to the front of the peloton in the early stages of a race - when the pace is still moderate - and thus gain a significant time advantage over those in earlier start blocks. As such, it happened frequently in the past that such a rider only had to sit in wheels and follow the first group to "win" the race.

At last

It is a rule I personally welcome a lot!!! These are indeed races and not time trials. Should the Köln result be based on netto time as in the past, the top 100 would have been completely different. Read this: race winner Wernicke, who did an outstanding sprint, would have been relegated to 46th place (!!!). Second-placed Tobias Bosch would have sunk to rank 70, and Jörg Arenz (now third) to as low as rank 80!

Winner would have been Torsten Lorenzen. He was 7th in the sprint to the line. His team-mate(!) Marcus Fischer would have been second (in reality 18th in the sprint). Now, one could argue these two guys were right up there anyway and they came from the back. Riders three and four in the netto-time list, though, were only 97th and 92nd across the line and effectively dropped off the group in the final kilometre(s)!

Finally, in the top 10 of the netto-list, there are four guys from Team Düren-Merken (one, two, five and six) and three guys from Team Agapedia Münsterland (seven, eight, nine). Coincidence? There's a nice cluster of Blue Essentials guys and Team Focus guys between rank 80 and 100, though. Indeed, those teams were standing entirely up front at the start.

Still there are people who feel the results should be based on netto time. I cannot understand them. Of course it is impossible for everyone to start at exactly the same time. Unless you do time trials. But the T-Mobile races are labelled as they are: 'races'. They say you have no chance if you start in blocks C, D or later. I'm not disputing these riders' chances can be a lot smaller, though not always impossible, to reach the front of the peloton, but the riders starting in block A are also in block A for a reason: merit. The new T-Mobile Cycling Tour rulebook says that the first 250 riders in the current ranking are entitled to a block A starting position if they register for the next race on the tour. That's only fair: these people show commitment to their sport and produce good results over an extended period of time, instead of perhaps just 1 race a season. Block A is furthermore filled with riders who did well in the same event the year before and then with those who registered first. In my view, that's quite transparent and logic.

If you want to do the Nove Colli, Oetztaler, Maratona, Marmotte or any other major international event you also don't demand nor get a first block starting position. Do a good enough job this year, and in so doing secure a better starting position for the next edition.

With mass events, that's just the way it is. No system is perfect, but the 2007 T-Mobile rulebook is a significant step forward compared to last year.

Background:
Rund um Köln statement

Race Report: Rund um Köln
09/04/2007, Köln (DE)

On the pace!


A group of circa 80 riders storming to the finish.
Strassacker's Nico Wernicke was clearly the fastest


Köln - After weeks of anxious waiting, uncertain of how the legs really are after the winter break, the 2007 T-Mobile Cycling Tour finally took off with Rund um Köln on Easter Monday. Due to the mild weather of late it was no suprise that the average participant was in better shape than for last year's edition, but more than 80 guys storming to the line after 103 km in superb conditions was also not exactly foreseen. The rather dangerous finale resulted in a bunch sprint clearly won by Team Strassacker's Nico Wernicke. Annette Kolf of the newly founded Team T-Mobile took top honours in the women's A-event, even though Elin Amundsen (bobteam) was celebrated as the winner at the victory ceremony in Cologne!

I entered and left Cologne with mixed feelings. I did not know how the legs would respond only two days after Flanders, and apart from that I wasn't too sure I'd be good enough in the first place to follow the first group - which was my main objective. That turned out not to be a problem. The race was quite nervous and most of the time I was sitting between 30th and 50th position within the first peloton. At some point, about halfway, there was a descent and a sharp corner to the left, after which the road went uphill. There I had to grit my teeth together briefly, but mainly because some jerk - pardon the language but I cannot think of any other term - just bumped me aside with his shoulders and handlebar! Later in the race I also saw him carelessly zigzagging through the group, causing abrupt braking manouvres and risking massive crashes. I memorised the fool's racing number and have his name. Hopefully I can forget it soon.

Prior to the event, there was a lot of debate on the sense or non-sense of the cobblestone climb to the Schloss Bensberg. Coming from Flanders I obviously found this debate on e.g. the RuK forum rather funny. I know already for a long time that Germans are, well, almost scared of cobblestones and they generally have no idea how to tackle such stretches. Before the race, I was dreaming that - if I was still in front - I would show them :-). However, I was a bit too far down the group when it mattered. Still, I was amazed about the panic reactions of some riders. One nearly crashed somehow and held up others - including myself. And those cobblestones turned out to be mere city centre stones! Very strange.

The result of being held up was that the first group split in two. Luckily, it only took about 3 km to close the small gap. And so a group of over 80 riders flew to Cologne. Of course there were attacks (I even joined one briefly) but it was my impression that the strongest teams were keeping things together to set up a sprint. On the line I estimated some 20-25 riders ahead of me - the results claim there were 39. Considering the many complaints on the RuK forum about the time registration and the result lists, I also have my doubts about my ranking, considering my own estimate. In fact, all riders between rank 22 and 41 have the same time - just how they differentiated between those 19 people I do not know.

I understand all those who complain about the time registration performed by the company MIKA timing. It seems several people started and finished the race together but are separated in the result list by minutes. And the women's race winner was initially ranked as a man, hence Elin got awarded the victory and the prizes. These are just two examples. Clearly, when people participate in an event labelled as a race they expect to see their efforts rewarded with a precise ranking and timing. About right is not good enough. Because it's part of the T-Mobile tour, which has implications on the starting blocks of upcoming races, points are not properly distributed. So people nag, some even feel cheated and who can blame them? A fee of fifty something euros is for many people still money. I find it hard to understand what could have gone wrong here. Cyclos are organised every week in France and Italy and these issues never occur over there.

That is why I kept my mixed feelings about RuK, even though for different reasons. Apart from the time registration, the organisation was superb with an extra plus for all the danger signs and accompanied flagging. The next event is Göttingen on 29 April. I like that race, I finished 41st in 2005 and 36th last year. Doing slightly better will be my goal!

FACT SHEET:

Name: Rund um Köln (FOCUS Challenge)
Date: 9 April 2007
Location: Köln
Type: Race (T-Mobile Cycling Tour)
Distance: 103 km
Hm: 1000Hm
My Result: Rank 40/1115 (f), 2:40:07 (netto 2:39:57)
Info: Website
Event rating: 2/5



Elin eventually second behind Annette Kolf

Event report: Ronde van Vlaanderen

No season without de Ronde


The mild winter resulted in an early season's start for
wasps, even when they've already lost their sting...


NINOVE - For a Flemish rider, the Tour of Flanders is a must. Even with Rund um Köln only two days ahead, I had to ride the Ronde or my season wouldn't have been complete. There was no question at all, because even the weather forecast was brilliant! The latter led to the expected attendance records: overall between 18 000 and 20 000 people from 30 countries (depending on the source) participated in the cyclotour, with 2 800 riders even doing the whole 260 km distance starting from Bruges!

As usual, I opted for the 140 km distance starting in Ninove, which includes all but two of the 18 hellingen of the pro race. The night before I had removed the Krylions for Conti GP4000 tyres and at 8 a.m. I crossed the starting line. The earlier the better if you want to avoid 'traffic jams' on crucial climbs like the Paterberg and the Muur. The first 30 km towards the first climb, the Molenberg, are traditionally just a warm-up, sitting in a good group that matches your pace and ambitions. It was no different this year. The Molenberg is short, only 400 metres, but quite steep and the cobblestones are in bad shape. The way you go up there will tell you what to expect of the day. I felt good :-)

Then onto the 3km cobblestone stretch of Kerkgate in Mater (Oudenaarde). The first km is false flat, then it levels out, before climbing again and turning right sharply for cobbles in worse condition! Yes, this one is no nonsense, the closest Flanders comes to Paris-Roubaix. In 2005, nine colleagues at the ECB joined me on Flanders and I still remembered their long faces after their struggle on this stretch, including Morten's famous words "I will never ever do Roubaix" (last year, of course, he did).

I managed a solid rhythm on Kerkgate, saw many bidons on the cobbled road - which creates dangerous situations sometimes - and moved on to the first food & beverage stop in Oudenaarde, nicked the heart of the Ronde (the museum of the Ronde is located there and the women's world cup race starts there too). With Cologne just around the corner I had decided before the start I would take time to refill my bidons and eat a little extra. Just to be on the safe side. I would do the same at the second stop in Lierde (normally I just continue straight to the finish).

Sitting in the wheel of two Britons wearing the Flemish Lion, we passed by the Kluisberg and the Cote de Trieu and proceeded straight to the Oude Kwaremont. Last week in the E3 I had to push a little more (see report), but in Flanders the cobbled climb is so early in the course I never have any issue there. Luckily, all these narrow climbs were not yet overcrowded so it was possible in general to do your own pace. Even on the Paterberg with its 20% slope! In previous years I had to zigzag through people who were walking to the top, this time the path was wide open! I took advantage and powered to the top on the 23 - I don't think I've ever gone so fast on the Pater! Thinking about that, I was suddenly disappointed this year's Ronde skipped the legendary Koppenberg and instead turned right to do the Kortekeer. Curbing my enthusiasm, I opted to do the non-cobbled climbs en souplesse and push a little extra on the cobbled hills (Taaienberg, Steenbeekdries, Eikenberg...). The years when you have the luxury to make these kind of considerations, the Tour of Flanders is probably the event in which you have most fun.

Dark clouds appeared causing a temperature drop of about five degrees. Not the hills, but the cold became my biggest adversary. Even while riding I couldn't keep myself warm enough. In the mean time I was in the finale that traditionally starts with the Berendries. There was a brand new climb too. After Tenbosse and before the Muur - we no longer hit the main road to Geraardsbergen - the organisers found a nasty little stretch called the Eikenmolen. Not very long, not really steep but the 2km leading up to the climb are seriously false flat! Many people didn't like that one with the Muur already within sight...

On the Muur I enjoyed the same rush as on the Pater: I was flying like never before. Unfortunately, I got held up at the end of the steepest part but on the Kapelmuur I came around on the 21 and dashed to the Bosberg. Last year I was pretty knackered on the Muur already. After the Bosberg, energy conservation was my rule. I arrived in Meerbeke satisfied, with good legs and no hurting bones. Ready for the T-Mobile Tour :-)

FACT SHEET:

Name: Ronde van Vlaanderen
Date: 7 April 2007
Location: Ninove, Belgium
Type: Cyclotour
Distance: 140 km
Hm: Unknown (estimated 1200Hm): 16 hellingen: Molenberg, Wolvenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Kortekeer, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg, Eikenberg, Boigneberg, Leberg, Berendries, Valkenberg, Tenbosse, Eikenmolen, Muur-Kapelmuur, Bosberg
Organisation rating: 4/5
Info: website

IMAGES:



The Kapelmuur in Geraardsbergen





Bosberg (above), Berendries (below)

Rund um Köln - Some results

No changes in the result lists so far, despite heavy criticism on the RuK website forum. On the T-Mobile Cycling Tour website it is announced that the first rankings will be published on Friday.

A full race report will be published soon. In the mean time please see below the top three plus a few results of Frankfurt-based riders on the 103 km distance:

Women (48 finishers)
1. Annette Kolf (Team T-Mobile), 2:43:55
2. Elin Amundsen (Bobteam), 2:50:15
3. Jennifer Schloden, 2:50:16

Men (1117 finishers)
1. Nico Wernicke (Team Strassacker), 2:40:05
2. Tobias Bosch (Team Voba RSV 06), 2:40:05
3. Jörg Arenz (Focus), 2:40:05
40. Kris Van de Velde (Bobteam), 2:40:07
89. Alex Nikolopoulos (Team Strassacker), 2:40:18
262. Gary Weir, 2:50:18
541. Daniel Hochtenert, 2:57:54
582. Martin Kohlhase, 2:59:10
684. Sven Graven, 3:02:56
1067. Thomas Blascyk, 3:29:59

Newsflash: Köln - Elin wins... or didn't she ?

Köln - There appears to be quite a bit of confusion concerning the actual result lists of the first T-Mobile Cycling Tour event of the season. Many people are complaining about timings that cannot possibly be correct (I myself am a bit puzzled by my ranking).

Frankfurt-based Elin Amundsen (Bobteam) was celebrated yesterday as winner of the 100 km women's race, beating Jennifer Schloden by 1 second. However, today the name of Annette Kolf (T-Mobile team) heads the result sheet! In fact, that makes sense because Elin saw Annette ride away from her at some point, and I personally saw a T-Mobile woman finish in the group that preceeded Elin's.

It all seems a bit odd, but if one looks at the forum of the Rund um Köln website, it doesn't seem to be the only - but certainly the most significant - anomaly.

More to follow soon...

T-Mobile Cyling Tour starts on Monday

The second edition of the T-Mobile Cycling Tour starts on Monday with Rund um Köln. The weather forecast is good, so it promises to be a start in style with circa 3500 riders expected to participate.

About 30 of those riders have a Frankfurt address with 9 "Frankfurters" signed up for the 100km event.

Check this blog for the results and a report next week!

Event report: E3 Harelbeke

Perfect prep for De Ronde!

HARELBEKE, Belgium - The Tour of Flanders, de Ronde van Vlaanderen, has been the first genuine cycling challenge on my calendar for nearly ten years. It is no different now. Even though the weather has been very beneficial this winter to retain a basic conditional level, my experience and respect for the event told me not to enter Flanders unarmed. Hence, I decided to check out the E3 cyclotour in Harelbeke last Sunday, 1 April. On the menu: 130 km with 11 hellingen, some of which will also be climbed in the Ronde (but in a different order - which led to a few surprises...).

The alarm clock did not need to go off at 6.30 a.m. as I had been awake for 20 minutes already. Two rice gateaus, a cup of Toraja coffee and off we drove to Harelbeke, some 35km past Ghent. At least two huge parking lots had been foreseen by the organisation so arriving at 7:45 I did not have any issue there. I signed the registration papers, paid 8 euros and set up my bike. I was riding my newly acquired second-hand scandium Eddy Merckx frame, used by Wim Van Huffel when he was riding for Vlaanderen T-Interim in 2004, before he changed to Lotto and finished 14th in the 2005 Giro d'Italia. Equipped with my old Campa Centauer group and Mavic Cosmos wheels, this allows me to save my premium bike for the actual races and mountain events later in the season. Besides, I am not convinced these ultra light racebikes are optimal for cobblestones and windy conditions on flat courses anyhow.

I started my ride with five guys from a cycling club in Kontich (Antwerp). They kept a solid pace. However, I couldn't help but feeling uncomfortable but I shrugged it off thinking I was just not used to the new bike yet. Until after some 20 km, one guy suddenly pointed at my rear wheel: the tire was constantly scraping the chain stay!! No wonder I felt awkward. I was riding my Michelin Krylion 25" tires that I purchased for Paris-Roubaix last year, and it turned out they only narrowly fitted between the two lower bars of the frame that attaches the wheel. I lost contact with the small group and had to ride on my own for a while but the riding was a lot smoother :-)

The first climb was the Edelare after 30km. Nothing serious, in de Ronde it is not even recognised as an official climb. Just before La Houppe, 2000m at 6%, six guys stormed past me. I attached my waggon but boy they were flying! After the first food & beverage stop, the climbs quickly succeeded each other. I restarted earlier than those six guys but they stormed past on the Boigneberg, 1400m at 8.5%. This time I did not insist. These guys were just a little too advanced at this stage of the season. Were they?

I maintained a good pace and absorbed the climbs without any problem, which boosted my confidence. After all, you don't know what to expect the first time you hit the hills each year. The Taaienberg, on cobbles and with a stretch of 19%, was a hard one. And the Paterberg with its 20% stretch as well. I had to dig deeper than usual on those. Either the 25" tires glued me to the stones, or... By the way, the Paterberg is considered by Flemish women to be the most erotic of all hills, as they claim the hill offers superb views on the riders' bums ...

Next was the Oude Kwaremont. Never really a problem in de Ronde, but in the E3 - after the Taaienberg and Paterberg - the Kwaremont does matter! When exiting the cobbled stretch and hitting the main road that goes uphill, I suddenly saw two of the six riders who flew past me on the Boigneberg. They were knackered :-) And yes, the four others were not far ahead. I would finish ahead of them in Harelbeke. A perfect reminder for myself to go easy in the early stages next Saturday: the Flemish hills are relentless, you run out of steam, you'll go through hell just to reach the finish.

The E3 was a very pleasant tour, well-organised with good signposting (also for dangerspots) and two modest but sufficient food stops. Recommended.

- KVDV

FACT SHEET:

Name: E3
Venue: Harelbeke, Belgium
Type: Cyclotour
Distance: 130km
Hm: unknown (11 climbs: Edelare, La Houppe, Berg Stene, Boigneberg, Eikenberg, Taaienberg, Kapelberg, Paterberg, Oude Kwaremont, Kluisberg, Tiegemberg)
Conditions: Chilly but sunny (8:15 - 12:45 a.m.)
Organisation rating: 5/5
Info: Website

Prestigio: Rumsas wins GF Selle Italia

Controversial Lithuanian Raimondas Rumsas continues his winning ways in the Italian granfondo circuit. In the Prestigio-opener, GF Selle Italia, in Cervia last Sunday he beat Parkpre-teammate Timothy David Jones in the sprint after 152 km.

Apparently Rumsas is still allowed to participate in these races despite rumours he would no longer be. The GF Selle Italia saw close to 5000 participants this year, i.e. a new record. Its place in the Prestigio therefore seems guaranteed for the next few years.

Emmanuele Negrini finished 20th, Andrea Ciavatti 18th and Christian Ceralli 22nd. Names who wil appear more to the top of the sheets come June and July.

The women's race was won by Barbara Lancioni, outsprinting Gallucci and Bandini.

Interesting is also the striking number of Russian-names in the results...

The next Prestigio event is the Dieci Colli Bolognesi in Bologna on 1 May.

Veltec Team Granfondo

Holland has its first genuine cyclo team: Veltec Team Granfondo. The team consists of six riders, including well-known climbing specialist Oege Hiddema, a.o. second in the Marmotte 2003 behind Laurens Ten Dam (currently ProTour rider with Unibet). The initiative shows oncemore the ever growing international popularity of cyclosportive events.

More info on the new team and Oege's training and event diary can be found on his website.

Sunny weather forecast for Flanders!

The Ronde van Vlaanderen is a traditional early season event for many cyclo riders and one expects again over 15 000 people on the various courses next Saturday. Because of the treacherous course with the cobblestone sectors, the weather is an important factor for this cyclotour. At present, the conditions are promised to be excellent, comparable with 2005! To check the latest forecast, see the website of the KMI in Belgium.

CHIBA Alpencup

An increasingly popular trio of events is the CHIBA Alpencup, which includes the Amade Radmarathon (Radstadt, Austria), the Berchtesgadener Land Radmarathon (Bad Reichenhall) and the Engadin Radmarathon (Zernez, Switzerland). The official dates have been announced and a few regular visitors to this blog are considering riding the Amade Radmarathon on 20 May. More info on the events via the website:

Training in Girona, like the professionals

Last weekend we had 2 very nice rides, both around 110-120km with an elevation above 1,500hm. The first was on Saturday when we rode in the hills around Girona, then on Sunday we went to the Costa Brava. Want to know more?

http://www.bikecat.com

Tuesday Night Rides to start

Starting from the Eurotower, a number of riders will start the weekly Tuesday Night Ride this week. Idea is to meet at 18:15 at Willy Brandt Platz and then ride towards Höchst-Farbwerke (so you could also take the S1 or S2 out there). There is a nice 8-9km loop out there, which is partially traffic free!

If you cannot make it at 18:15, you could go in the opposite direction when you exit the S-bahn station and ride a bit towards Hattersheim. Normally people will be riding on the loop until 19:30 approx, given the early season (and darkness, bring lights!).

More info can be obtained via Morten.

A precise plan with street names will be provided on this blog in due course.

A Flemish weekend to prepare for Cologne

Those of you who will still need some mileage before entering the undoubtedly tough Rund um Köln race on Easter Monday, could spend a nice weekend in Flanders as preparation.

On Saturday, 31 March you can do the Tom Boonen Classic, a cyclotour with start and finish in the towm of Balen - Boonen's birthplace. The longest distance is 150km, mainly flat with a few Flemish hills - meaning short but steep -, but you can also do 130km, 90km and 75km.
Check the website: Tom Boonen Classic

One day later, on Sunday 1 April, you could then head for Harelbeke, 100km further up north in Flanders, to do the cyclotour version of the E3 Prijs, the semi-classic for pros held the day before. The 130km loop offers 11 climbs, most of them known from the Tour of Flanders. The 80km has five climbs in its course.
Check the website: E3 Prijs Harelbeke


One week later, on Easter Saturday you can of course also ride the Tour of Flanders, but two days before Cologne, that is easier said than done.

Tour of Germany open

The registrations for the three cyclo stages of the Deutschland Rundfahrt in August are now open.
First there will be the T-Mobile Mountain Challenge in Sölden, Austria, on Tuesday 14 August. 13 kilometres to the top of the Rettenbachferner.
T-Mobile Mountain Challenge
The GIANT time trial is scheduled for the Friday in Fürth, Bayern, and will be a flat 40km.
GIANT time trial
EDEKA Race Day will take place in Hannover this year. On Saturday, 18 August participants can choose between 50, 70 or 90 generally flat kilometres. A nice warm-up for Hamburg the day after.
EDEKA Race Day

Köln expecting 3500 participants!

Emphasizing the increasing popularity of Germany's cyclo events, the organisers of Rund um Köln on Easter Monday have stated they expect 3500 riders at the start! Considering Cologne cannot be considered an easy ride with quite some Hm to conquer, that is remarkable for such an early season event. Maybe the fine weather has helped boosting people's confidence to sign up well in advance...

In any case, a number of people linked to the Frankfurt International Cycling Club have also registered for the race, which is the start of the 2007 T-Mobile Cycling Tour. People seeking transport or other information can send an email to frankfurt.cyclingclub@googlemail.com.

To register for the event, go to http://www.rundumkoeln.de

Ötztaler sold out within a few hours

Even though the precise time and date of the registration opening was not announced, all 4000 tickets for the Ötztaler Radmarathon in Sölden on 26 August have been sold out within 3 hours! It shows the still increasing popularity of big cyclo events and the magic appeal of the Oetztaler in its current non-compromising form: 238 km and 5500 Hm.

Recently there have been rumours of introducing a shorter B-distance, as well as a special combo-ranking of a MTB race on Saturday and a road race on Sunday.

I think true cyclosportive-riders would hate to see that happening, as the beauty of the Oetztaler is the fact that it is every year a proper challenge, even for good climbers! Every participant is in for the same treat!

Race on the Championship course...

As announced last week, the T-Mobile cycling tour 2007 will include a race on the 'WM Strecke' in Stuttgart on 3 June (same day as the race in Fürth). There will be a choice of laps one can ride, with 4 as a maximum for nearly 80km with over 1500 Hm. That sounds like a pretty tough course! All details and registration options will be available on the organisation's website as of 15 February.

http://www.wm-velotour.de

Meanwhile, the 3 October race in Münster will also get a face-lift. Three distances are on offer, the longest being 130 km! That will not be self-understood at that time of the year, so the Münsterlandgiro will truly be a challenging conclusion to the T-Mobile Cycling Tour ! Registration is open: http://www.muensterland-giro.de/

T-Mobile Cycling Tour 2007 officially announced!

At last, the official announcement of the 2007 T-Mobile Cycling Tour has been made. On www.t-mobile-cyclingtour.de you can read the details as well as take a good look at a number of surpises in the calendar!

On 3 June there will be a race on the World Championship course in Stuttgart, for example, and at the end of August one or more jedermann races are foreseen in the context of the Regio Tour!

RiderMan in Bad Dürrheim, a traditional Golden Bike Event in late September, is also included in the T-Mobile Tour.